Blake Horvath Shines as Navy Stuns No. 19 Army in Commanding Rivalry Win
LANDOVER, Md. — The Army-Navy game is always a spectacle, but this year’s clash delivered a performance for the ages. Navy quarterback Blake Horvath stole the show, outdueling Army’s Bryson Daily with a jaw-dropping 311 total yards and four touchdowns to lead the Midshipmen to a 31-13 victory over the No. 19 Black Knights on Saturday. The win snapped Navy’s two-game losing streak in the series and secured the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy for the first time since 2019.
Horvath was nothing short of electric, throwing for 107 yards and two touchdowns while adding 204 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground. Navy (9-3) came into this game with something to prove, and boy, did they deliver. This year’s matchup was historic even before kickoff, as the teams entered with a combined 19 victories—the most in the 125-game history of this storied rivalry.
Daily’s Struggles and Navy’s Fast Start
On the other side of the ball, Bryson Daily, who finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting this year, had a rough outing. Daily threw a touchdown pass but was intercepted three times, a shocking turn of events for a quarterback who had been picked off only once all season. Army (11-2) found itself in an early 14-0 hole in the second quarter and never fully recovered. This loss comes on the heels of Army’s historic victory over Tulane in the American Athletic Conference title game, where they claimed the first league title in program history.
The game began with Navy setting the tone early. In front of a packed crowd at the Washington Commanders’ home stadium in Landover, which included President-elect Donald Trump, the Midshipmen took the opening kickoff and marched 65 yards down the field. Horvath capped off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, giving Navy an early lead they would never relinquish.
Key Plays That Defined the Game
Daily’s struggles began in the second quarter when he was intercepted by Dashaun Peele. Navy capitalized on the short field, with Horvath connecting on an 18-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Chatman to make it 14-0. Army responded with a 23-yard touchdown pass from Daily to Hayden Reed, but the Black Knights couldn’t sustain the momentum.
While both teams stuck to their run-heavy game plans, the passing game provided some of the most pivotal moments. One of the game’s defining plays came in the third quarter. After Army trimmed the deficit to 14-10 with a field goal, Horvath delivered a dagger—a 52-yard touchdown pass to Eli Heidenreich, who broke free up the left sideline. That play not only extended Navy’s lead but also etched Horvath and Heidenreich into the record books. The touchdown was Horvath’s 13th of the season and Heidenreich’s sixth TD reception, tying school records for both players.
Fourth-Quarter Drama and Navy’s Dominance
Army had a chance to claw back into the game early in the fourth quarter, but Daily missed an open Casey Reynolds in the end zone, forcing the Black Knights to settle for a field goal. Navy then pulled off a gutsy trick play that all but sealed the game. Facing fourth down near midfield, the Midshipmen turned to Landon Robinson, a nose guard, who rumbled 29 yards on a fake punt. Although Robinson fumbled at the end of the play, Navy recovered and kept the drive alive.
Horvath capped off that drive with another 1-yard touchdown run, pushing the lead to 28-13. Daily’s nightmare outing continued as he threw two more interceptions before the final whistle. Navy’s defense deserves plenty of credit for forcing those turnovers and keeping Army’s offense in check.
Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy Returns to Navy
With the win, Navy completed a sweep of Air Force and Army to reclaim the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy, a prize that had eluded them since 2019. The Midshipmen also wrapped up an impressive season that saw them win their first six games and spend time in the Top 25 rankings.
For fans of this historic rivalry, the good news is that the Army-Navy game will stay in Maryland for another year, with next year’s edition set to take place in Baltimore. But for now, it’s all about celebrating Navy’s triumphant return to glory in one of college football’s most iconic matchups.
Key Takeaways from the Game
- Blake Horvath’s Heroics: 311 total yards, four touchdowns, and a record-tying performance.
- Turnovers Cost Army: Bryson Daily’s three interceptions were a major factor in the loss.
- Historic Matchup: The teams entered with a combined 19 wins, the most in the rivalry’s 125-game history.
- Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy: Navy’s sweep of Air Force and Army secured the coveted prize.
As the dust settles on this year’s Army-Navy game, one thing is clear: Blake Horvath and the Midshipmen delivered a performance that will be remembered for years to come.
Originally Written by: Associated Press
